Valves for



INVENTOR weer. P

ATTORNEY June. 5,v r19.56 lc; zELLwEG|'- R l l VALVES Fon FILLING PYRpPHomc' mamans :goa LIQUIFIED GAS f origin; 'nnd'uaren' 12,1953 2 sheets-snaai Zell' J- 4.. 11 2.2/91 Y 2 1 1 ,1 A 7//////////// Y 1 .Y 1 [l vUwv///m il Y v AJung 5, g f l ZELLWEGRRY. Re.` 24.163

VALVES Fon ILLING PYRoPHoaxc LIGHTERs Foa-LIQun-n-:b cAs original nl@ umn 12, 1953y v l sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR Conrad Zellweger.

ATTRNEY made by' reissue.

panying drawings, wherein:

Re. v24,163

Reissued June 5,'1956 VALVES FOR FILLING PYROPHORIC LIGHTERS FOR LIQUIFIED GAS Conrad Zellweger Geneva, Switzerland, to La Nationale S. A., Geneva, Switzerland, a company of Switzerland origini Ne.z,11o,so6, Imaam 14, 195s, sensi Ns. 341,881, March 12, 1953. A tion for reissue Jmnry 1s, 1956, semi No. s 9,09; claims priority, application summa-Mmm 17, 1952 lzlcmm. l(Cuz-1) Matter enclosed ln heavy brackets [l appears in the original patent but forms no of this reissue specification; matter printed ln Indicates the additions Filling valves are' already known for liquied gas pyrophoric lighters, in which the reservoir.- of thelighter is' connected to a filling container containing liquilied gas,

through a hollowneedle passing through a plug of the last mentioned container.

These known valves lhave the disadvantage either of vnot ensuring absolute ,fiuidtightness or ofnecessitating vthe use of gas at apressure'considerably greater 'than that which [remainslobrains normally in conjunction with the liquid state, which is effected by the addition, in the filling container, of a non-liquitied gas underpressure. lt thus results that the filling containers'must have qualities of resistance which very substantially increase the cost of the construction.

On the other hand, when it is desired to ll the reservoir of a lighter with liquilied gas, at its normal vapor v pressure, the [gas] fuel entering' the reservoir partly expands and creates a pressure which prevents complete The presentinvention has for its subject a filling valve fora lighter with liquifed gas, fitted with a hollow needle enabling the connection ofthe reservoir of the lighter to a filling container containing liquilied gas at its normal pressure. This valve permits of avoiding the above mentioned disadvantages by the fact that it comprises two parts, movableone relatively to theother, one being sta tionary land secured to the body of the lighter, said twoparts being so arranged as. to be capable of occupythreaded part 5.

on its part 5 a screw-thread which comes into'engagement groove 21 is milled in the y with the threaded portion 4.l A

yThe body -part 3 alsohas a central recess, along the axis of which is located the:I hollow needleft"I The said needle is secured in an elongated collarportion 7 ofthe part 3, ,which is of smaller diameter, so that a shoulder 8 is formed. -T he portion 3aof"the part 3 has a six-sided vsurface into which enters, .when filling, a part corresponding'with the neck of the illingcontainer. .in this manner, the filling container serves at the same time as a key for operating the valve.

Between the shoulder 8 of the part 3 and the bottom 9 of the recess of the part 2 are located a metal washer 10, a rubber ring 11, a metal ring '12 and a rubber washer As shown in the drawing, the ring 11 is of a diameterl slightly smaller than that of the recess of the body 2 in which it is located. The same applies to the metal ring 12. On the contrary, these two parts are adjusted on the elongated collar portion 7 of the part 3. The ring 12 is provided with a peripheral groove'14, opposite which ing two relative positions, one for closing and the other for filling, in which the reservoir of the lighter is connected, on the one hand, to the hollow needle', and, on the other hand, tothe outer air through Aanother passage of small cross-sectional area.

A number of forms of construction of the subjectci the invention are shownby way of example in the accomvFig.,1 is a sectional view of a trst form of construction in the closed position with the neck of the tilling con-y tainer in engagement with the valve.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view in the filling position. Fig. 3 shows a lmodification of a detail.

Fig. 4 shows a second form of construction in the closed position and in Fig. 5 in the filling position. In all the figures of the drawings', the same reference numerals indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to Figs. v1 and 2. the wall of the reservoir of the lighter is indicated Aby 1. The valve comprises two l can pass through the needle, the bore 18, the recess 16 vthe' position'shown in Fig. 2.

opens a calibratedl passage 15 of Vsmall cross-sectional area, passing through the wall of the part 2 and extended into the reservoir of the lighter by a tube .15a ending in Aproximity to the wallI of the chamber 1 constituting the" bottom of the lighter.

In the bottom 9 of the part 2 is formed a recess 16 into 1 which leads a passage 17 passing through the wall of the said part 2`and leading into the reservoir of the lighter. At the centre of the bottom 9 is located a drill recess 18 in which is located the rear end of the hollow needle 6. A` ring 19, driven with force into the opening of the .part2, prevents the part 3 passing out completely when itis unscrewed for bringing the parts of the valve into Between the ring 19 and the lower end of the body 3 is provided a clearance leaving free a circular opening.

In Fig. 1 the key neck 40 of a lling containerl such as shown in my co-pending application Serial No.. 341,882, filed March l2, 1953 now Patent No.. 2,711,082 issued June 21, 1955 is shown in engagement with the valve. It

will be seen that the needle 6 has passed through the plug 4l closing the neck and that a part 42 of the. latter,.having a profile with six faces corresponding with that of the part 3a of the movable part 3, is in engagement with the latter, which enables it to move angularly relatively to the stationary part 2. v

ln the. position shown in Fig. 2, it will be seen that when the hollow needle 6 has passed through the plug 41 Vof the filling container of liquid gas, of which the-'neck sl introduced into 'the recess ot the part 3,'the liquid gas and the passage'l7 for entering the reservoir of the lighter.

The air and a portion of the expanded gas contained in` the latter, escape through the tubev 15a, the calibrated parts'2 and 3 movable one relatively to the other, the

first or iixed part 2 being secured to the wall l and having a central recess or socket therein with cylindrical walls threadedv at 4 on'a portion .of its length. The movable part 3 is formed by a body with cylindrical walls'having tension of the liquifed gas.

passage l5, the space 20, between the ring 11; and the wall of the part 2, the milling 21 and the free circular space between the ring 19 and the part 3. The calibrated passage 1S is so dimensioned that the pressure in the interior of the reservoir is slightly less than the vapour It is thus possible to lill completely the reservoir of the lighter and the user sees easily when the fillinghas been effected, as at this moment the liquid gas commences to pass out through the point between the ring 19 and the part 3.

It then suices to screw the part 3 into the body 2 by means of the neck of the filling container in engagement with the part 3a.

' There is thus effected the compression of the ring 11 and the washer 13. The tirst bears against the wall of the part 2 and eliminates the free space 20,wl1ilst the second tills the recess 16 and-closes the passage 17.

Thus any communication between the reservoir of the -lighter by| its passages 15 and 17 is closed.

' Instead of the tube 15a, it is also possible to provide the modificationv shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the passage IS leads into a circular milling orV recess 22 covered by a sleeve 23` driven on to the part 2. f

With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be seen that the part .3 has a bottom 7 through which passes the hollow needle 6 which is welded thereto.

the mating key 'neck of a liller container wherebyfrotation of the container will cause said movable valve member'to moveA angularly and axially relative to the fixed valve member when they are interlocked, a transverse wall at the inner end of the movable valve member, a

v'hollow needle in said transverse wallandpointed and laterally ported at its outer end and its'finner: end lopening below said-valve seat, and valve seat closure means The bottom 9 of the part 2 has two circular grooves 24 and 25 between which is provideda rib 26 forming a projection on the bottom 9.

The passage l5, 15a is connected to the lgroove 25 and the passage 17 to the groove 24.

Between thc bottom 7 of the part 3 and the bottom 9 of the part 2 are located a metal washer 27 and a Washer 28 of rubber which allows a clearance to subsist between:

them and the wall of the part 2.

In this form of construction it will be seen in Fig. 5 that, asin the preceding form of constructiomtthe liquid gas from the filling container can pass through the hollow needle, thecavity 18, the free space between the washer the rib 26, themilling 2l and the free spacebetween vthe-V ring 19and the part 3.

In the closed position shown washer 28 which bears against' the walls of 'the part 2 in Fig. 4, the tightening` Aof the part 3 in the part 2 produces the crushing of the valv'e seat on the vfixed valve member andV normally covering said inletport, and whereby, upon vaxial outward ymovement of the movable valve 'membersaid .valve seat vlts means will uncover said vfiller port tolet fuel lntbrthe 'reservoir-fv and simultaneously permitthe gas escape port to communicate withthe milled groove to vent gas trapped inthe reservoir to =the atmosphere through said milledv groove. n

2. A [pyrophoric] lighter according to claim l wherein, the-transverse wall at the inner endof the fixed valve "member has a socket for receiving the inner end of the hollow needle.-

"3. A [pyrophoric] lighter Vaccording to claim 1 where- Ainlet port in the' valve seat and blocking communication between* the gas escape port and the atmosphere, and when relaxed uncovering the inlet portanti` unblocking communication between the gas escape port and the i atmosphere.:

and enters the grooves 24, 25 thus closing any communi' n cation of the reservoir ofthe lighter with the outside.

. From the foregoing it willA now be'obscrved that the.-

present invention includes-a -pair of cup-like outer and inner valve members 2 and 3, respectively, which-are telescopically fitted for relative angular and axial Inovement. The outerl of said members having a gas escape "to port 15 and a. filler port 17 while the threads 4 of the inner member 3 .are provided with a groove which constitutes an escape channel for venting gas passing;

The inner through escape port '15 to thek atmosphere.

member 3-carries the hollow needle 6 and is also-provided with key-means at its mouth for receiving the key portion of a liller container which when'interlocked with the member 3 permits vof relative turning movement of the latter by appropriate manipulation of the container itself. The valve seat closure'means is'controlled by the. axial movement of the member 3 to alternately vclose orseal:

the -ports l5 and 17, and, onl the other hand, to open them simultaneously when the'reservo'ir of the casing is to be filled.

lt will be understood that the parts o f rubberrefzerred i valve Imeans for the reservoir, comprising, a fixed valve member having a tubular -wall provided over a part of its length with interior threads, said Avalve member secured to and extending within Athe casing and opening at ,its outer end to the atmosphere and also'havinga reservoir gas eseapeport in the side wall thereof, a transversev wallat the inner vend of the lxed valve member'providing an internal valve seat at one side ofthe gas escape port, said wall having a tluid inletport communicating with' the reservoir, a movable valve member vhaving external threads interrupted by a transverse milled groove leading to the atmosphere, said threads engaging the interior threads on the said --tubular wall ofthe fixed valve mem` ber, and said movable valve member also having its open outer end of a cross'section to form key means to receive Y 4'. A I fpyrophorie] lighter according to claim l, whereinthe gas escape port is provided with a tube, a portion of said tube'being bent to extend' parallel to the outer side ofthe tixed valve member. l

5. A pyrophoricflighter according to 'claim 1- wherein,

. the gas escape port has its inlet endcommunicating with in,lthe valve seat closuretneans includes spaced outer and inner' deformable elements and an intermediate element `having a peripheral groove, all of said elements disposed coaxially with the hollow needle and confined .between the transverse waliof the movable valve member and the-valve seat, the inner deformable element for the valve seat being axially eompressible to close the tluid inlet the transversomilled groove when 'the reservoir is being lle'd, said inner deformable element when relaxed establishing communication between the -needle and the inlet l y.-termediate member.' 3

port, saidouter deformable element when relaxed establishing communication between the gas escape port and the milled groove, through the peripherally groovedl in- 7. A [pyrophoric] lighter according to claim 1, wherein, the' valve seat is 'formed with ribs and intervening valleys, andthe valve seat closure means includes a single l deformable element 'for controlling the opening and closing of both the-huid inlet port and the gas eseapeport.

.8. A [pyrophori'c] lighter for liquilied gas including in combination, a casing having a reservoir, and filler means for thereservoir'carried by the casing and permitting simultaneous escape of gas trapped in the reservoir and the filling thereof vwith-liquid fuel, said means including a pair of cup-like outer and inner valve members tele` scopically in terlt'ted for relative axial movement, the outerl of said members having therebetween groove means for venting gas trapped in the reservoir to the atmosphere alsohaving filler and gas escape ports spaced axially of said -outer member for communication with the reservoir, a hollow needle carried by the inner valve member for conductingv liquid fuel from a liller Acontainer to the reservoir, key means at the mouth of the innervnlve member for co-operation with related key means on the ller container whereby relative turning mowement between the container and the inner valve member will A rotate the latter, and closure means carried by and movable with the innervalve member foraltemately sealing l the filler and gas escape ports and also simultaneously e opening the fillerport. to the reservoir and the gas escape port to said groovel means for venting gas trapped in the ,lo

reservoir to the atmosphere. 9. A lighter constructed to'be charged with liquie gas fuel under pressure-and including in combination, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by the casing-and aording simultaneousl escape of gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquifed gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means including an outer valve member fixed with respect to the casing and having therein a socket, an inner 'valve member mounted to move .in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said inner valve member having a fuel charging passage ex tending therethrough from an outer portion to an inner portion thereof, said outer portion including a part engageable with a filling container to aord a flow .of fuel v`means providing a Iseal against the flow of fuel through the passage in said inner valve member into said reser voir when said inner valve member is in closed position, and also providing a seal against the flow of fuelv outwardly from said reservoir through said escape passage aLvo affording communication from said reservoir through said escape passage `to the outerairl when said inner valve memberis in open position.`

Il. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquiffed gas: fueljunder pressure landincluding in lcombination, a'asing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel :ch'arging means carried by the casing and affording simultaneous escape of gas from 'thereservoir andthe charging thereof with liquified gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means including an louter valve member fired `with respect to the casing'and having therein a when said inner valve member is in closed position; said sealing means aording communication through. the passage in said inner valve member into said'reservoir when said inner valve member is in open position, and also aording communication from said reservoir through said escape passage to theouter air when said inner valve member is in open position.

l0. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquied gas fuel under pressure and including in combinav tion, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir. and fuel charging means carried by the casing and aording si multaneous escapeof gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquified gas fuel under pressure,

said fuel charging means including an outer valve member fixed with respect to the easing. and having therein a socket, an inner valve member* mounted to move in.

said socket between openl and closed positions as here` finafter set forth, said inner valve member having a-fuel charging passage extending therethrough from an outer portion to an inner portion thereof, said outer portion including a part engageable with a filling container to aord a flow of fuel from such a container'to said fuel charging passage, said fuel charging means being constructed to provide an outwardly extending 'passage affording the outward vescape of gas therethrough to the outer air during charging, said fuel charging means also including sealingmeans activated during movement of said inner valve member between .closed and open posi tions, said last mentioned means sealing the inner pona tion of said passage in said inner valve member from communication with said reservoir when said inner valve member is in closed position and also providing a seal 'against the flow of fuel outwardly from said reservoir throughV said escape passage when said inner valve member is in closed position; said sealing means aording communication between the inner portion of said passage through the inner valve member and said reservoir when said inner valve member is in open position and socket, an inner valve member mounted to move in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said-inner valve member including a hollow needle protruding outwardly from the body of said valve member into said socket, saidinner valvev member hav- ,ing a fuel rcharging passage therein which-extends from the protruding portion of said needle through an inner portion of saidi inner valve member, said fuel charging means being constructed to'provde a passage extending outwardly through said socket between'said inner and outer valve members to aord the outward escape of gas through'said last mentioned passage to the outer air during charging, sealing means activated during movement of said inner valve member between closed and open positions, said last mentioned means sealing the i inner portion of said first mentioned passage in said inner valve member from communication with said reservoir when said inner valve is in closed position, and also providing a seal against the flow of fuel outwardly from said reservoir through said escape passage when said inner valve member is in closed position; said sealing `means aording .communication between said reservoir and the inner portion of said first mentionedpassage through the inner valve member when said inner valve member is in open position, and also aording-communication between. saidreservoir and said escape-passage when said inner valve is in open position.

l2. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquified gas fuel under pressure and including in combination, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by the casing and aording simultaneous escape -of gas from the` reservoir and the charging thereof with liquifed gas fuel under pressure. said fuel charging means'includng an outer valve member fixed with respect to the casing and having therein a socket, an inner valve member mounted-to move in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said fuel charging means being constructed to 'provide an outwardly extending passage aording the outward escape-of gas therethrough from said reservoir to the outer air during charging and also to provide inward passage of liquified gas therethrough in said reservoir during charging, in a path dierent from the path of said outwardly escaping gas, said inner valve member having an outer portion provided with `a part engageable with a filling container to afford flowv of fuel from such a container to said inward passage, said fuelcharging means including sealing ymeans activated during movement of said inner valve member between closed and open positions, said last mentioned means sealing the inner portions of said passages against communication with said fuel reservoir and also against communication with each other when said inner valve member is in closed position, said sealing means opening communication from said reservoir through each of said passages when said inner valve member is in open position.

References Cited in the fle of this patent or the original patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,933,192 Taylor Oct. 31, 1933 2,204,015 Iftiger June l1, 1940 (Other references on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Nissen", L Apr. 27, r1954 Burchelt May 25, 1954 Ca'mrbn May 1'7, 1955 Frlin July 5, 1955 l Sept.v 13, 1955 f 'Gi-uber Dec. 6, 195s FQREIGN' yPATEN'IS Great- Britain Aug. 13, 1952 Great Britain -.v---" oen 2.9;. 1952 

